Today’s Most Wanted Space – The Laundry Room
The average American does about eight loads of laundry a week[1], which adds up to nearly 416 loads of laundry per year. Doing just a single load can take about 90 minutes from someone’s day, so it’s no surprise that 91% of home buyers[2] want a laundry room. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 2019 survey “What Home Buyers Really Want,” this essential space tops the buyers’ most-wanted home features list.
A laundry room provides an area for homeowners to not just wash and dry clothes, but also to fold, iron and organize their garments. Having a laundry room means that they likely don’t have to bring piles of clothes into other common areas of the home, like the living room.
Here are a few ways home builders, designers and architects can create a sought-after space that is attractive to buyers:
Create counter space
If you offer open wall shelves where homeowners can store things like detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets, it will prevent counters from getting cluttered. If the laundry room includes a front-loading washer and dryer instead of a top load, the top surface of the appliance can provide additional counter space for folding, stacking and organizing laundry.
Add a utility sink
If clothing is caked in mud or covered in grass stains, homeowners can rely on a utility sink to rinse and soak dirty clothes - something they wouldn’t want to do in a kitchen or bathroom sink. A spacious utility sink may also come in handy for washing small pets. Include cabinets underneath the sink for even more storage space.
Think vertically
With smaller homes, there may not be enough space for a completely separate laundry room. However, you can still create a functional laundry area without taking up a ton of space - just think vertically. Closets are perfect for an intimate laundry area where homeowners can hide a stackable washer and dryer. Instead of a traditional door, design the space for doors that can slide in front of the appliance and separate the space from the rest of the house when not in use.
Every home and family is unique, which is why Whirlpool Corporation offers laundry appliance solutions that mesh with every lifestyle. Whether you’re designing a laundry room for a growing family or a small laundry nook for a starter home, we can provide options that meet your needs. Get in touch with us to learn more about all of our laundry appliance solutions that fit your next project.
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PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE
Whirlpool® 7.4 cu. ft. Smart Front Load Electric Dryer
Whirlpool® 2.8 cu. ft. Smart All-In-One Washer & Dryer
Whirlpool® 5.0 cu. ft. Smart Front Load Washer with Load & Go™ XL Plus Dispenser